Correlations of pilot trainees' brainwave dynamics with subjective performance evaluations: insights from EEG microstate analysis

ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the relationship between the subjective performance evaluations on pilot trainees' aircraft control abilities and their brainwave dynamics reflected in the results from EEG microstate analysis. Specifically, we seek to identify correlations between distin...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mengting Zhao, Andrew Law, Chang Su, Sion Jennings, Alain Bourgon, Wenjun Jia, Marie-Hélène Larose, David Bowness, Yong Zeng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Neuroergonomics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnrgo.2025.1472693/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849708909447610368
author Mengting Zhao
Andrew Law
Chang Su
Sion Jennings
Alain Bourgon
Wenjun Jia
Marie-Hélène Larose
David Bowness
Yong Zeng
author_facet Mengting Zhao
Andrew Law
Chang Su
Sion Jennings
Alain Bourgon
Wenjun Jia
Marie-Hélène Larose
David Bowness
Yong Zeng
author_sort Mengting Zhao
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the relationship between the subjective performance evaluations on pilot trainees' aircraft control abilities and their brainwave dynamics reflected in the results from EEG microstate analysis. Specifically, we seek to identify correlations between distinct microstate patterns and each dimension included in the subjective flight control evaluations, shedding light on the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying aviation expertise and possible directions for future improvements in pilot training.BackgroundProficiency in aircraft control is crucial for aviation safety and modern aviation where pilots need to maneuver aircraft through an array of situations, ranging from routine takeoffs and landings to complex weather conditions and emergencies. However, the neurophysiological aspects of aviation expertise remain largely unexplored. This research bridges the gap by examining the relationship between pilot trainees' specific brainwave patterns and their subjective evaluations of flight control levels, offering insights into the cognitive underpinnings of pilot skill efficiency and development.MethodEEG microstate analysis was employed to examine the brainwave dynamics of pilot trainees while they performed aircraft control tasks under a flight simulator-based pilot training process. Trainees' control performance was evaluated by experienced instructors across five dimensions and their EEG data were analyzed to investigate the associations between the parameters of specific microstates with successful aircraft control.ResultsThe experimental results revealed significant associations between aircraft control levels and the parameters of distinct EEG microstates. Notably, these associations varied across control dimensions, highlighting the multifaceted nature of control proficiency. Noteworthy correlations included positive correlations between microstate class E and class G with aircraft control, emphasizing the role of attentional processes, perceptual integration, working memory, cognitive flexibility, decision-making, and executive control in aviation expertise. Conversely, negative correlations between microstate class C and class F with aircraft control indicated links between pilot trainees' cognitive control and their control performance on flight tasks.ConclusionThe findings underscore the multidimensional nature of aircraft control proficiency and emphasize the significance of attentional and cognitive processes in achieving aviation expertise. These neurophysiological markers offer a basis for designing targeted pilot training programs and interventions to enhance trainees' aircraft control skills.
format Article
id doaj-art-41fb9c142dcf4c899476eda32cfc1df2
institution DOAJ
issn 2673-6195
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Neuroergonomics
spelling doaj-art-41fb9c142dcf4c899476eda32cfc1df22025-08-20T03:15:30ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroergonomics2673-61952025-03-01610.3389/fnrgo.2025.14726931472693Correlations of pilot trainees' brainwave dynamics with subjective performance evaluations: insights from EEG microstate analysisMengting Zhao0Andrew Law1Chang Su2Sion Jennings3Alain Bourgon4Wenjun Jia5Marie-Hélène Larose6David Bowness7Yong Zeng8Concordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, CanadaFlight Research Laboratory, Aerospace Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, CanadaConcordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, CanadaFlight Research Laboratory, Aerospace Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, CanadaCAE Inc., St-Laurent, QC, CanadaConcordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, CanadaMarinvent Corporation, St-Bruno, QC, CanadaCAE Inc., St-Laurent, QC, CanadaConcordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, CanadaObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the relationship between the subjective performance evaluations on pilot trainees' aircraft control abilities and their brainwave dynamics reflected in the results from EEG microstate analysis. Specifically, we seek to identify correlations between distinct microstate patterns and each dimension included in the subjective flight control evaluations, shedding light on the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying aviation expertise and possible directions for future improvements in pilot training.BackgroundProficiency in aircraft control is crucial for aviation safety and modern aviation where pilots need to maneuver aircraft through an array of situations, ranging from routine takeoffs and landings to complex weather conditions and emergencies. However, the neurophysiological aspects of aviation expertise remain largely unexplored. This research bridges the gap by examining the relationship between pilot trainees' specific brainwave patterns and their subjective evaluations of flight control levels, offering insights into the cognitive underpinnings of pilot skill efficiency and development.MethodEEG microstate analysis was employed to examine the brainwave dynamics of pilot trainees while they performed aircraft control tasks under a flight simulator-based pilot training process. Trainees' control performance was evaluated by experienced instructors across five dimensions and their EEG data were analyzed to investigate the associations between the parameters of specific microstates with successful aircraft control.ResultsThe experimental results revealed significant associations between aircraft control levels and the parameters of distinct EEG microstates. Notably, these associations varied across control dimensions, highlighting the multifaceted nature of control proficiency. Noteworthy correlations included positive correlations between microstate class E and class G with aircraft control, emphasizing the role of attentional processes, perceptual integration, working memory, cognitive flexibility, decision-making, and executive control in aviation expertise. Conversely, negative correlations between microstate class C and class F with aircraft control indicated links between pilot trainees' cognitive control and their control performance on flight tasks.ConclusionThe findings underscore the multidimensional nature of aircraft control proficiency and emphasize the significance of attentional and cognitive processes in achieving aviation expertise. These neurophysiological markers offer a basis for designing targeted pilot training programs and interventions to enhance trainees' aircraft control skills.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnrgo.2025.1472693/fullaircraft control evaluationsbrain dynamicsEEG microstate analysiscorrelation analysiscognitive functionspilot training
spellingShingle Mengting Zhao
Andrew Law
Chang Su
Sion Jennings
Alain Bourgon
Wenjun Jia
Marie-Hélène Larose
David Bowness
Yong Zeng
Correlations of pilot trainees' brainwave dynamics with subjective performance evaluations: insights from EEG microstate analysis
Frontiers in Neuroergonomics
aircraft control evaluations
brain dynamics
EEG microstate analysis
correlation analysis
cognitive functions
pilot training
title Correlations of pilot trainees' brainwave dynamics with subjective performance evaluations: insights from EEG microstate analysis
title_full Correlations of pilot trainees' brainwave dynamics with subjective performance evaluations: insights from EEG microstate analysis
title_fullStr Correlations of pilot trainees' brainwave dynamics with subjective performance evaluations: insights from EEG microstate analysis
title_full_unstemmed Correlations of pilot trainees' brainwave dynamics with subjective performance evaluations: insights from EEG microstate analysis
title_short Correlations of pilot trainees' brainwave dynamics with subjective performance evaluations: insights from EEG microstate analysis
title_sort correlations of pilot trainees brainwave dynamics with subjective performance evaluations insights from eeg microstate analysis
topic aircraft control evaluations
brain dynamics
EEG microstate analysis
correlation analysis
cognitive functions
pilot training
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnrgo.2025.1472693/full
work_keys_str_mv AT mengtingzhao correlationsofpilottraineesbrainwavedynamicswithsubjectiveperformanceevaluationsinsightsfromeegmicrostateanalysis
AT andrewlaw correlationsofpilottraineesbrainwavedynamicswithsubjectiveperformanceevaluationsinsightsfromeegmicrostateanalysis
AT changsu correlationsofpilottraineesbrainwavedynamicswithsubjectiveperformanceevaluationsinsightsfromeegmicrostateanalysis
AT sionjennings correlationsofpilottraineesbrainwavedynamicswithsubjectiveperformanceevaluationsinsightsfromeegmicrostateanalysis
AT alainbourgon correlationsofpilottraineesbrainwavedynamicswithsubjectiveperformanceevaluationsinsightsfromeegmicrostateanalysis
AT wenjunjia correlationsofpilottraineesbrainwavedynamicswithsubjectiveperformanceevaluationsinsightsfromeegmicrostateanalysis
AT mariehelenelarose correlationsofpilottraineesbrainwavedynamicswithsubjectiveperformanceevaluationsinsightsfromeegmicrostateanalysis
AT davidbowness correlationsofpilottraineesbrainwavedynamicswithsubjectiveperformanceevaluationsinsightsfromeegmicrostateanalysis
AT yongzeng correlationsofpilottraineesbrainwavedynamicswithsubjectiveperformanceevaluationsinsightsfromeegmicrostateanalysis